Water heater



1'. H. IRELAND June 12, 1934.

WATER HEATER Filed Aug. 25, 1935 lul- H. INVENTOR. wls .ZkELfl/VD MW AT ORNEK Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFEE WATER HEATER Thomas H. Ireland, Rockville Center, N. Y.

Application August 25, 1933, Serial No. 686,701

14 Claims. (01. 257-240) This invention relates to water heaters or heat exchanging devices for fluids of various kinds and classes; and the object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in the form of a casing, with a fluid heating unit detachably supported with respect to the casing and including a partition section for subdividing the heating unit into a plurality of intercommunicating ports or passages through which the fluid is circulated in the process of heating the same, the partition section being so constructed as to form the separate and intercommunicating passages providing a continuous flow of the fluid back and forth through the heating element; a further object being to provide a partition section for heaters of the class described which when removed can be thoroughly cleaned, thus providing long life to the heaterand maintaining proper functioning thereof at all times; a further objectbeing 20 to provide a heater of the class described which is adaptable for use as a conventional, indirect water heater for furnaces, boilers and the like, which may be cleaned or otherwise repaired without disturbing the pipe connections with the heater; and with these and other objects in View, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, eificient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one use of my invention, with the heater shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the structure shown in Fig. 1, detached.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of heater; and,

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

For the purpose of illustrating one use of my invention or one method of carrying the same into effect, I have diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing a hot water storage tank such as commonly employed in homes, apartments and other places. At 11, I have indicated part of the wall structure of a range, boiler, furnace or other heating apparatus, to the water jacket of which is coupled hot water circulating pipes 12 and 13 At 14, I have shown the casing or jacket of one of my improved heaters, which casing is closed at one end as seen at 15, and the open end thereof is flanged as seen at 16 to receive a closure plate or cap 1'7. The closed end 15 is provided with a recess 18 and a corresponding recess 19 is formed in the cap 17, and mounted in these recesses is the tube 20 of the heater element. In the construction shown, the tube 20 has a closed end 21 disposed within the recess 19 of the cap 1'7 and the open end thereof seats upon a gasket 22 in the chamber 18.

Within the tube 20 is a partition unit 23 which is preferably detachable with respect to the tube to facilitate cleaning thereof, and this unit consists of a horizontal partition member 24 and a vertical partition member 25, as seen in Figs. 1 7 t0 3 inclusive. The partition member 25 is slotted as seen at 2511 to receive the partition member 24, and one side of the member 24 is longer at one end as seen at 24a than at the other side 24b of said end so as to form a passage 26, whereas the partition 25 is shorter than the partition 24 to provide passages 27 and 28 below and above the partition 24 at the closed end of the tube 20.

The partition element 23 when mounted in the tube 20 divides the same into four longitudinal chambers or passages 29, 30, 31 and 82, note Fig. 3 of the drawing. These chambers extend from the closed end wall 15 of the casing to the closed wall 21 of the tube. Mounted in the end wall 15 of the casing is a water supply pipe 33 and a discharge pipe 34. The pipe 33 is coupled with the bottom of the tank 10 and the pipe 34 with the top thereof. The pipe 33 opens into the chamber 29 through a port 33a. It will thus be seen that water will circulate through the heating unit by first entering the chamber '29 from the pipe 33 and port 33a, pass longitudinally through the tube and then into the chamber 30 through the passage 27, from the chamber 30 into the chamber 31 through the passage 26, from the chamber 31 into the chamber 32 through the passage 28, and then out through the port 34a and through the pipe 34 into the tank 10, and the water so circulated is heated by the circulation of hot water from the source of heat supply 11 through the-pipes 12 and 13 which are coupled with suitable bosses 35 provided for this purpose.

It is desirable that a number of the bosses 35 be employed to adapt the heater to apparatus or systems of various types and classes, and in the construction shown, two of these outlets are unused and will be closed by suitable plugs 36.

In this connection, it will be understood that where the apparatus is built for a specific installation, the casing will be designed and construct- 11 0 ed specifically for such installation. The showing in the drawing is of a type universally adapting the unit to various kinds and classes of heater apparatus or systems.

It will also be understood that the particular type of heating element employed for heating the fluid circulated through the heater unit may be varied to suit the particular uses or insuallations thereof, it being understood at this time that the device may be constructed as a conventional water heater. The outstanding features of my invention reside in the structure of the fluid circulating means of the heater unit which is detachable with respect to the casing and of such structure as to facilitate cleaning whenever desired, contrary in this respect to the conventional heater coils commonly employed in apparatus of the kind under consideration.

It will also be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawing that the tube 20 including the partition unit 23 may be quickly and easily detached from the casing by simply removing bolts or screws 17a which retain the cover 17 in place, and this result is accomplished without disturbing the connections of the pipes 12, 13, 33 and 34 with the casing. In other words, the cleaning of the unit will not require the skill or tools of a plumber, steam fitter or other workman. All that is necessary is to have a wrench or other tool which will release the bolts or screws 17a, permitting withdrawal or" the tube 20 and unit 23.

It will also be understood that a number of I the partition plates may be assembled with re- 35" spect to each other to increase the number of circulating chambers provided in the unit. In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, I have shown one modification of the invention in this regard where I dispose within a casing 3'7 similar in general construction to the casing 14 and including a closed end wall 38 and closure plate or cover 39, both being recessed to receive a rectangular tube 40 having a closed wall 41 seating in the cover 39 and the open end. seating upon a gasket 42 in the recess 38a of the end wall 38.

Within the tube 40 is arranged two horizontal partition walls 43 and 44 and one vertical partition wall 45. These partition walls or plates subdivide the tube 40 into successively communicating fluid circulating chambers 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51, a pipe 52 communicating with the chamber 46 through a port 52a, and a pipe 53 communicating with the chamber 51 through a port 53a. The vertical partition 45 is shorter than the horizontal partitions whereas the 'two horizontal partitions 43 and 44 are constructed similar to the horizontal partition 24 so as to provide a passage 54 placing the chambers 47 and 48 in communication with each other at one end of the unit, as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, and another similar passage 54a, placing the chambers 49 and 50 in communication with each other at the same end of the unit.

In the circulation of fluid through the heater shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the rawing, the fluid enters the chamber 46 through the pipe 52, then passes into the chamber 47 through a passage 55, then into the chamber 48 through passage 54, and from the chamber 48 into the chamber 49 through a passage 56, and from the chamber 49 into the chamber 50 through passage 54a, and from the chamber 55 into the chamber 51 through passage 57, and then out through the pipe 53, it being understood that the passages 55, 56 and 5'? are formed between the ends of the vertical partition 45 and the closed end wall 41 of the tube 40.

In both forms of construction, it will be understood that the tubes 20 and 40 employed will be composed of relatively thin metal and preferably of a material suitable for transmitting heat from the source of heat supply to the chambers of the tubes to heat the water or other fluid circulated therethrough. It will also be understood that the partition plates or fins may be frictionally mounted in the tubes, and ii desired, could be permanently or otherwise secured thereto, it being understood that the open end of the tube would facilitate cleaning of the chambers form d by the partitions without the necessity of removing the same from the tube, but in some cases, it may be found desirable to withdraw the partition plates or fins from the tube and even to separate the same one from the other to facilitate thorough cleaning thereof, and thus remove scale, corrosion or collection of any foreign matter that may collect thereon, especially in the use of heaters of this class with certain types of water supplies, or in conjunction with different fluids.

It will be apparent in utilizing my device or apparatus as a heat exchanger that the iiuid, gas or the like to be heated may be introduced through either of the circulating systems, and the heating medium through the other, depending largely upon the particular installation and use of the heat exchanger. In like manner, it will be apparent that my improved device or apparatus is adaptable to many other uses wherein the circulation of fluids, gases or the like is desired for various heat transmitting purposes.

It will also appear that my invention is not necessarily limited to the particular design or contour of the device herein shown and described which is merely illustrative of one use of my invention, it being apparent that other designs as well as installations of the device may be made, and various other changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fuly described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A fluid heater of the class described including a casing, means detachable with respect to the casing for forming a fluid circulating unit therein, said unit including angularly disposed plates subdividing the unit into a plurality of intercommunicating fiuid circulating chambers, one end of said unit being open when detached from said casing to render the chambers thereof accessible for cleaning, a cap supporting one end of the unit in the casing, and said cap being detachable with respect to said casing.

2. A heater of the class described comprising a heater casing, a tubular body mounted within said casing in spaced relation to the side walls thereof to form around said body a chamber into and through which a heating medium is circulated for heating said body, means fitting 1 snugly in and detachable with respect to said tubular body for dividing the same into a plurality of intercommunicating iiuid passages through which fluid to be heated is circulated, and said means comprising partition plates independent of the tubular body and disposed angularly with respect to each other in forming said fluid passages.

3. A heater of the class described comprising a heater casing, a tubular body mounted within said casing in spaced relation to the side walls thereof to form around said body a chamber into and through which a heating medium is circulated for heating said body, means fitting snugly in and detachable with respect to said tubular body for dividing the same into a plurality of intercommunicating fluid passages through which fluid to be heated is circulated, said means comprising partition plates independent of the tubular body and disposed angularly with respect to each other in forming said fluid passages, and said plates being detachable with respect to each other when removed from said tubular body.

4. A heater of the class described comprising a heater casing, a tubular body mounted within said casing in spaced relation to the side walls thereof to form around said body a chamber into and through which a heating medium is circulated for heating said body, means fitting snugly in and detachable with respect to said tubular body for dividing the same into a plurality of intercommunicating fluid passages through which fluid to be heated is circulated, said means comprising partition plates independent of the tubular body and disposed angularly with respect to each other in forming said fluid passages, one end of the casing being open, a cap closing the open end of the casing and means in said cap for supporting one end of the tubular body in connection therewith.

5. A heater of the class described comprising a heater casing, a tubular body mounted within said casing in spaced relation to the side walls thereof to form around said body a chamber into and through which a heating medium is circulated for heating said body, means fitting snugly in and detachable with respect to said tubular body for dividing the same into a plurality of intercommunicating fluid passages through which fluid to be heated is circulated, said means comprising partition plates independent of the tubular body and disposed angularly with respect to each other in forming said fluid passages, one end of the casing being open, a cap closing the open end of the casing and means in said cap for supporting one end of the tubular body in connection therewith, the other end of the casing being closed, and means involving intake and discharge pipes coupled therewith for circulating the fluid to be heated through the intercommunicating passages of said tubular body.

6. A heater device of the class described comprising a casing closed at one end, a cap detachably coupled with the other end of the casing, a tubular body disposed in the casing between said cap and the closed end thereof and to form around said tubular body within the casing a heater chamber, means independent of the cap for introducing a heating medium into said chamber to heat said tubular body, means involving a plurality of sheet metal plates detachable with respect to said tubular body and arranged angularly with respect to each other for subdividing said tubular body into a plurality of intercommunicating fluid circulating chambers having inlet and outlet end portions disposed at the closed end of said casing, and

means involving inlet and outlet pipes at the closed end of the casing for circulating a fluid to be heated through the chambers of said tubular body.

7. A heater device of the class described comprising a casing closed at one end, a cap detachably coupled with the other end of the easing, a tubular body disposed in the casing between said cap and the closed end thereof and to form around said tubular body within the casing a heater chamben'means independent of the cap for introducing a heating medium into said chamber to heat said tubular body, means involving a plurality of sheet metal plates detachable with respect to said tubular body and arranged angularly with respect to each other for subdividing said tubular body into a plurality of intercommunicating fluid circulating chambers having inlet and outlet end portions disposed at the closed end of said casing, means involving inlet and outlet pipes at the closed end of the casing for circulating a fluid to be heated through the chambers of said tubular body, the end of said tubular body adjacent the closed end of the casing being open, and means forming a seal between the open end of said tubular body and the closed end of said casing.

8. A circulating unit for heaters of the class described comprising a tubular body open at one end, angularly disposed partition walls arranged longitudinally of said body and detachable with respect thereto, said walls subdividing said body into a plurality of longitudinal chambers in communication with each other at opposite ends of the tubular body to provide within said body a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly through said body with the intake and discharge ends both opening through the open end of said tubular body.

9. A circulating unit for heaters of the class described comprising a tubular body open at one end, angularly disposed partition walls arranged longitudinally of said body and detachable with respect thereto, said walls subdividing said body into a plurality of longitudinal chambers in communication with each other at opposite ends of the tubular body to provide within said body a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly through said body with the intake and discharge ends both opening through the open end of said tubular body, and said partition walls including plates detachable with respect to each other when removed from said tubular body.

10. A circulating unit for heaters of the class described comprising a tubular body open at one end, angularly disposed partition walls arranged longitudinally of said body and detachable with respect thereto, said Walls subdividing said body into a plurality of longitudinal chambers in communication with each other at opposite ends of the tubular body to provide within said body a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly through said body with the intake and discharge ends both opening through the open end of said tubular body, a heater casing in which said unit is mounted, and means involving a closure cap for the casing for detachably coupling the unit with said casing.

11. A circulating unit for heaters of the class described comprising a tubular body open at one end, angularly disposed partition walls arranged longitudinally of said body and detachable with respect thereto, said Walls subdividing said body into a plurality of longitudinal! chambers in communication with each other at opposite ends of the tubular body to provide within said body a l-iii continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly through said body with the intake and discharge ends both opening through the open end or said tubular body, a heater casing in which said unit is mounted, means involving a closure cap for the casing for detachably coupling the unit with said casing, the open end of said tubular body seating on a closed end Wall of the casing, and means including supply and discharge pipes coupled with the closed end of the casing for introducing a fluid to be heated into and discharging the same from 'the continuous circulating passage of said unit.

12. Anrindirect water heater of the class de scribed comprising a casing open at one end, a cover closing the open end of the casing, a water heater unit comprising a tube detachable with respect to the casing through the open end thereof, means in the cover and closed end of the casing for supporting said tube in spaced relation to the side walls of the casing to form an annular chamber around said tube, means coupled with the side walls of the casing for circulating hot water through said chamber to heat said unit, means dividing said tube into a plu rality of circulating passages extending longitudinally through the tube and partially formed by the walls of the tube, and means involving passages in the closed end of the casing communicating with the circulating passages of said tube for circulating water to be heated through the passages of said unit.

13. An indirect water heater of the class described comprising an elongated casing closed at one end and open at the opposite end, a cover plate closing the open end of the casing, a heater unit detachable with respect to the casing through the open end thereof, said unit comprising a tubular body arranged in the casing and seating in the closed end wall and cover plate to form around said tubular body an annular hot water circulating chamber, means on the side walls of the casing and independent of the cover plate for coupling hot water circulating pipes therewith, means at the closed end of the casing for coupling intake and discharge pipes therewith for circulating water to be heated through said unit whereby upon removal of the closure plate the heater unit may be detached from the casing without disturbing the connections of the circulating pipes with said casing.

14. An indirect Water heater of the class described comprising an elongated casing closed at one end and open at the opposite end, a cover plate closing the open end of the casing, a heater unit detachable with respect to the casing through the open end thereof, said unit comprising a tubular body arranged in the casing and seating in the closed end wall and cover plate to form around saidtubular body an annular hot water circulating chamber, means on the side walls of the casing and independent of the cover plate for coupling hot water circulating pipes therewith, means at the closed end of the casing for coupling intake and discharge pipestherewith for circulating water to be heated through said unit whereby upon removal of the closure plate the heater ruiit may be detached from the casing without disturbing the connections of the circulating pipes with said casing, and a plurality of angularly disposed plates detachably mounted in the tubular body of said unit for subdividing the same intoqa plurality of longitudinally disposed intercommunicating circulating passages.

THOMAS H. IRELAND. 

